Customer Reviews

The Demigod

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An elegantly written novel that will delight and intrigue anyone interested in American history and politics, "The Demigod" provides an especially enjoyable reading experience for those Americans who lived during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Cleverly intertwining the historical narratives of FDR and his colleagues and the colorful radio priest Rev. Charles Coughlin (here disguised as the "fictional" character Father Clarence Wheeler), author Richard Pirodsky tells a compelling story seasoned throughout with surprise "appearances" by major sports and entertainment figures of the period.
Pirodsky's astoundingly detailed knowledge of the political and economic history of 20th-century America, his profound insights into the complex relationships between intellectual ideologies and human nature, and his passion for American popular culture combine to make this historical novel much more than just a "genre" treatment of a piece of our past. A master of the craft of clean literary expression, Pirodsky uses his brilliant wit and graceful storytelling ability to present fresh, bold opinions that force us to re-examine everything we thought we knew and felt about our history and its impact on our lives today.
"The Demigod" is an important book. It will captivate you, amuse you, disturb you, but ultimately leave you wanting to learn more. The fascinating career of its central character -- Coughlin, the controversial demagogue -- continued well beyond the years covered in Pirodsky's novel. Is there a sequel in the works? We sure hope so.